Lewis Steele: Liverpool midfielder could still leave this summer | OneFootball

Curtis Jones Future at Liverpool Looks Increasingly Uncertain

Curtis Jones entered Liverpool’s pre season with an opportunity. A new head coach, changes within the squad and Alexis Mac Allister absent for much of the summer created space for the midfielder to make an impression.

According to Lewis Steele, that opportunity has not been taken.

Speaking to Dave Davis on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, Steele offered a particularly candid assessment of Jones’ summer and suggested that a departure before the transfer deadline remains entirely possible.

“No, it’s been a bit all over the place for Curtis, to be honest,” Steele said.

With Inter Milan interest lingering and Liverpool approaching the final weeks of the window, Jones now finds himself among the players whose futures remain unresolved.

Inter Milan Interest Keeps Curtis Jones Exit Open

Steele explained that interest from Inter has existed throughout the summer.

“It started with Inter making a bid that was ultimately rejected and then they sort of went away for a few weeks and then they came back,” he told Davis.

Liverpool’s position, according to Steele, has never amounted to completely closing the door on a transfer.

“I’ve maintained all through the summer that I don’t think it’s closed door on Curtis leaving,” he said.

That matters because Liverpool still have considerable transfer business to complete.

“There’s three weeks today till the transfer window closes and there’s so many question marks lingering over incomings and outgoings,” Steele added.

Jones remains one of those question marks.

Steele even included his departure among the moves that have been widely expected without yet progressing significantly.

“There’s certain things that we all expect to happen in terms of, you know, a Barcola coming in or a Jones going out, but none of them are actually accelerating too much at the moment.”

Pre Season Opportunity Has Slipped Away

Perhaps the most striking part of Steele’s assessment concerned Jones’ performances.

With Andoni Iraola arriving as Liverpool head coach and Mac Allister unavailable for much of pre season, Jones had a genuine chance to strengthen his position.

Steele believes he failed to do so.

“It’s been a terrible pre season for him,” he said.

“You think with the new manager coming in, with Mac Allister missing most of pre season, there was a real chance there for Jones.”

His conclusion was equally clear.

“He’s not taking it and maybe that means that he’s going.”

Dave Davis raised Liverpool youngster Trey Nyoni as another factor potentially affecting Jones’ position within the squad. Steele agreed that Nyoni’s performances had changed the picture.

“I look at it and think sort of Trey Nyoni’s pushed himself ahead of him in this pre season,” Steele said.

Whether Iraola shares exactly the same assessment remains unknown, something Steele acknowledged, but Jones has done little during the summer to strengthen his claim.

“Curtis Jones hasn’t shown enough to me that he suits his system in pre season, to be honest.”

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool Departure Could Suit Everyone

Steele’s view on what should happen next was unusually decisive.

With Jones potentially requiring regular football and Liverpool able to receive a transfer fee rather than risk losing him when his contract expires, Steele suggested an exit could now work for everyone involved.

“I think it would probably be the best time for all parties now if they were to shake hands on an exit,” he said.

“Because they get money for him. Curtis can go and play every week somewhere like he’s wanted to do. And Liverpool obviously don’t lose him on a free next summer, which they’re standing in line to do.”

When asked what he would do personally, Steele provided an even more straightforward answer.

“If I was choosing, I would probably say, off you go, mate.”

Midfield Replacement Far From Guaranteed

One important issue for Liverpool supporters is whether selling Curtis Jones would automatically mean another midfielder arriving.

Steele does not believe it would.

Discussing comments made by fellow journalist David Lynch, he said: “I do agree that they probably won’t sign anyone if Curtis leaves because it’s just too late in the window.”

He also suggested Liverpool’s priorities currently lie elsewhere.

“As we’ve known, the focus for this summer has always been replacing Mo Salah,” Steele explained.

That leaves Liverpool facing an interesting decision.

Jones has not produced the pre season required to establish himself firmly under Iraola, Nyoni has strengthened his own case, and Inter interest has remained in the background.

Nothing has yet been finalised, but Steele’s assessment left little doubt about where matters currently stand.

For Curtis Jones, Liverpool’s final three weeks of the transfer window could decide whether his Anfield career continues or a summer of uncertainty ends with a move elsewhere.